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XXVII
Then out spake brave Horatius； The Captain of the Gate： ‘‘To
every man upon this earth Death cometh soon or late。 And how can
man die better Than facing fearful odds； For the ashes of his fathers；
And the temples of his gods；
XXVIII
‘‘And for the tender mother Who dandled him to rest； And for
the wife who nurses His baby at her breast； And for the holy
maidens Who feed the eternal flame； To save them from false
Sextus That wrought the deed of shame？
XXIX
‘‘Haul down the bridge； Sir Consul； With all the speed ye may；
I； with two more to help me； Will hold the foe in play。 In yon strait
path a thousand May well be stopped by three。 Now who will stand
on either hand； And keep the bridge with me？''
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Lays of Ancient Rome
XXX
Then out spake Spurius Lartius； A Ramnian proud was he： ‘‘Lo；
I will stand at thy right hand； And keep the bridge with thee。'' And
out spake strong Herminius； Of Titian blood was he： ‘‘I will abide
on thy left side； And keep the bridge with thee。''
XXXI
‘‘Horatius；'' quoth the Consul； ‘‘As thou sayest； so let it be。''
And straight against that great array Forth went the dauntless Three。
For Romans in Rome's quarrel Spared neither land nor gold； Nor
son nor wife； nor limb nor life； In the brave days of old。
XXXII
Then none was for a party； Then all were for the state； Then the
great man helped the poor； And the poor man loved the great： Then
lands were fairly portioned； Then spoils were fairly sold： The
Romans were like brothers In the brave days of old。
XXXIII
Now Roman is to Roman More hateful than a foe； And the
Tribunes beard the high； And the Fathers grind the low。 As we wax
hot in faction； In battle we wax cold： Wherefore men fight not as
they fought In the brave days of old。
XXXIV
Now while the Three were tightening Their harness on their
backs； The Consul was the foremost man To take in hand an axe：
And Fathers mixed with Commons Seized hatchet； bar； and crow；
And smote upon the planks above； And loosed the props below。
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Lays of Ancient Rome
XXXV
Meanwhile the Tuscan army； Right glorious to behold； Come
flashing back the noonday light； Rank behind rank； like surges bright
Of a broad sea of gold。 Four hundred trumpets sounded A peal of
warlike glee； As that great host； with measured tread； And spears advanced；
and ensigns spread； Rolled slowly towards the bridge's head； Where
stood the dauntless Three。
XXXVI
The Three stood calm and silent； And looked upon the foes；
And a great shout of laughter From all the vanguard rose： And forth
three chiefs came spurring Before that deep array； To earth they
sprang； their swords they drew； And lifted high their shields； and flew
To win the narrrow way；
XXXVII
Aunus from green Tifernum； Lord of the Hill of Vines； And
Seius； whose eight hundred slaves Sicken in Ilva's mines； And
Picus； long to Clusium Vassal in peace and war； Who led to fight
his Umbrian powers From that gray crag where； girt with towers； The
fortress of Nequinum lowers O'er the pale waves of Nar。
XXXVIII
Stout Lartius hurled down Aunus Into the stream beneath；
Herminius struck at Seius； And clove him to the teeth； At Picus
brave Horatius Darted one fiery thrust； And the proud Umbrian's
gilded arms Clashed in the bloody dust。
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Lays of Ancient Rome
XXXIX
Then Ocnus of Falerii Rushed on the Roman Three； And
Lausulus of Urgo； The rover of the sea； And Aruns of Volsinium；
Who slew the great wild boar； The great wild boar that had his den Amidst
the reeds of Cosa's fen； And wasted fields； and slaughtered men；
Along Albinia's shore。
XL
Herminius smote down Aruns： Lartius laid Ocnus low： Right to
the heart of Lausulus Horatius sent a blow。 ‘‘Lie there；'' he cried；
‘‘fell pirate！ No more； aghast and pale； From Ostia's walls the
crowd shall mark The track of thy destroying bark。 No more Campania's
hinds shall fly To woods and caverns when they spy Thy thrice
accursed sail。''
XLI
But now no sound of laughter Was heard among the foes。 A
wild and wrathful clamor From all the vanguard rose。 Six spears'
lengths from the entrance Halted that deep array； And for a space no
man came forth To win the narrow way。
XLII
But hark！ the cry is Astur： And lo！ the ranks divide； And the
great Lord of Luna Comes with his stately stride。 Upon his ample
shoulders Clangs loud the four…fold shield； And in his hand he
shakes the brand Which none but he can wield。
XLIII
He smiled on those bold Romans A smile serene and high； He
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Lays of Ancient Rome
eyed the flinching Tuscans； And scorn was in his eye。 Quoth he；
‘‘The she…wolf's litter Stand savagely at bay： But will ye dare to
follow； If Astur clears the way？''
XLIV
Then； whirling up his broadsword With both hands to the height；
He rushed against Horatius； And smote with all his might。 With
shield and blade Horatius Right deftly turned the blow。 The blow；
though turned； came yet too nigh； It missed his helm； but gashed his thigh：
The Tuscans raised a joyful cry To see the red blood flow。
XLV
He reeled； and on Herminius He leaned one breathing…space；
Then； like a wild cat mad with wounds； Sprang right at Astur's face。
Through teeth； and skull； and helmet So fierce a thrust he sped； The
good sword stood a hand…breadth out Behind the Tuscan's head。
XLVI
And the great Lord of Luna Fell at that deadly stroke； As falls
on Mount Alvernus A thunder smitten oak： Far o'er the crashing
forest The giant arms lie spread； And the pale augurs； muttering
low； Gaze on the blasted head。
XLVII
On Astur's throat Horatius Right firmly pressed his heel； And
thrice and four times tugged amain； Ere he wrenched out the steel。
‘‘And see；'' he cried； ‘‘the welcome； Fair guests； that waits you here！
What noble Lucomo comes next To taste our Roman cheer？''
XLVIII
But at his haughty challange A sullen murmur ran； Mingled of
wrath； and shame； and dread；